How can you help me show roads on the model?

A. For hand-made models:

If the scale is larger than 1" = 100', we can delineate
the roads by
"depressing" them. Take a close look at our road
option illustration below (the second version takes more time to load
better
detail). If you'd like to show roads this way, you
don't have to worry about whether the contour drawing
shows the proper "curb jogs," just specify the increment by which you
want the road lowered and we'll do the rest. For example, on a
gently sloped
model which at 1" = 50', we might cut contours at 1' intervals (.020")
and depress the road by the same amount. On a model which is 1" =
20', for example, we might cut steps at 1' interval (.050") and depress
the
road by 6" (.025"). This can be quite helpful, no matter whether
you like one-color models, or you want to use the surface information
to ease
the hand painting or the masking of a road pattern. [Another
option, especially for scales smaller than 1" = 20',
is to have us simplify the contour pattern so that there are no "curb
jogs" - with contours just crossing paved areas which are to be shown
with
paint color.]

We can provide even more detail if we use our CNC
router - by "lowering" areas such as roads, and/or by "engraving"
lines, such as property lines and path layouts. For adding
detailed information, we use very fine cutting tools - most commonly
.016" diameter tool.

Our new 2010 painting option, illustrated above, is accomplished by
careful coordination of painting and cutting. First, we
"finishcut" designated areas with the CNC router. Then, we
paint the model with any specified color. After painting, we
finishcut the remainder of the model so as to remove excess paint and
foam, down to the final surface. Upon completion of this step, we
can add a light coat of another color or ship the model off to you.
If you work with us on color selection, we can extend this method
to even include another color for another feature - perhaps paths.

This new option can be used in various ways, depending on your project
and your color preferences. For instance the paths could be one
shade of gray, the roads could be a darkened shade and the landscape
could have a greenish tint added. In the sample shown above, an
alternative for the right hand side would be to outline the paths and
then just barely "depress" them with a 1/32" diameter cutting tool so
as to reveal the natural gray color of the foam.